Mobile Utilities Support Equipment Teams with NAVFAC Utility Systems at Naval Station Everett

Photo By Sarah Lincoln | Two MUSE technicians travel to Everett, WA after high levels of combustible gases were discovered in critical support equipment.  

EVERETT, WA, UNITED STATES

10.18.2022

Courtesy Story

Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center

Two technicians from Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) Mobile Utilities Support Equipment (MUSE) deployed to Naval Station Everett, WA to install a 2500kVA substation.

During a recent inspection of a substation deployed to Naval Station Everett, a routine test of the transformer oil showed high levels of dissolved acetylene gas. Presence of this gas indicates high energy electrical faults within the transformer, and requires its immediate removal from service.

When MUSE received and analyzed the results, the installation team moved quickly to prepare and ship a new substation. “When the test results returned with high levels of acetylene, we knew the transformer needed to be replaced immediately before it impacted the ability for US warships to deploy,” Chief Petty Officer Luke Leifeste, Operations Lead Chief Petty Officer (LCPO). These substations play a critical role in maintaining, fueling, and berthing the Naval Destroyers homeported at Naval Station Everett.

Within a week, the team prepared and shipped the new substation and coordinated with Public Works Everett for site preparation and crane support. An operation that takes weeks to plan was executed in a fraction of the time due to the teamwork between NAVFAC EXWC and their Public Works counterparts. Once onsite, the MUSE team, led by CE1 Dewain Smith, inspected, commissioned and trained the Public Works Department electricians on the new substation. “The inspections and testing we do are done for this reason. We must be able to identify issues before they become catastrophic failures that prevent NAVFAC from supporting the warfighter. The fleet cannot afford a delay in the deployment of their destroyers,” said CE1 Dewain Smith, Operations Lead Petty Officer (LPO).

MUSE equipment has been deployed to Naval Station Everett for over 20 years. This equipment provides ship-to-shore power and supports pier operations needed to berth naval vessels. It is home to the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS McCambell (DDG 85), USS Momsen (DDG 92), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102), USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), the USS John S. McClain (DDG 58), and 3 United States Coast Guard ships.

MUSE provides specialized, easily transportable equipment for temporary support of utility and critical power systems, as well as highly skilled Navy Seabee technicians who provide technical assistance and training. MUSE services include power generation, transformation, and distribution services to meet energy and unforeseen utility shortfalls. To learn more about MUSE’s services and equipment, call [phone].

About NAVFAC EXWC:
NAVFAC EXWC is a command of more than 1,100 dedicated federal employees, contractors, and military personnel who provide research, development, testing, and evaluation and in-service engineering to deliver specialized facility and expeditionary solutions to the warfighter.

• Date Taken: 10.18.2022
• Date Posted: 10.25.2022 12:28
• Story ID: 431975
• Location: EVERETT, WA, US
• Hometown: PORT HUENEME, CA, US